Big-eyed, waif-like character actress who, since her film debut in "Carnal Knowledge" (1971), has distinguished herself in films and TV in varied roles. Kane gained national recognition and an Oscar nomination playing Gitl, the newly arrived immigrant wife, in "Hester Street" (1975). She went on to deliver a memorable series of understated characterizations that showcased her slightly whimsical, dotty quality and her gift for comedy, including Allison, Woody Allen's first wife--a woman who won't let the Warren Commission ruin her marriage--in "Annie Hall" (1977); "Myth" in "The Muppet Movie" (1979); Valerie, the wife of Billy Crystal's Miracle Max, in "The Princess Bride" (1987); the Ghost of Christmas Present in "Scrooged" (1988); and Granny Addams in "Addams Family Values" (1993). Her other feature credits include "The Last Detail" (1973), "Dog Day Afternoon" (1975), "Jumpin' Jack Flash" (1986), "My Blue Heaven" (1990) and "The Pallbearer" (1996), as David Schwimmer's mother. Kane garnered two Emmys playing Simka Gravas, the squeaky-voiced "mountain person" married to Andy Kaufman on the splendid sitcom "Taxi" (ABC, 1981-82; NBC, 1982-83). She has since remained a frequent presence on TV, appearing in dramas and comedies on PBS, TV movies, guest shots, and stints as a regular or recurring character on various short-lived series, notably as the bohemian Aunt Sylvia on the CBS series "Brooklyn Bridge". She returned as a series regular on "Pearl" (CBS, 1996-97), co-starring with Rhea Perlman and Malcolm McDowell.
The seasoned actress continued to appear regularly on both the big screen and television shows. She was a frequent and always colorful guest such shows as "Ellen" and "Hey Arnold" and even lended her distinctive voice to an episode of "The Family Guy" in 2001. In film, Kane could be seen playing the guidance counselor in the teen black comedy "Jawbreaker" in 1999 as well as in the Andy Kaufman bio "Man on the Moon." In 2002, she returned as a series regular in the FOX sitcom "The Grubbs" where Kane played opposite Randy Quaid as the heads of a quirky family who perpetually embarrass their young son.
^ Additionally, Kane has had an impressive stage career, appearing in the Lincoln Center productions of "Macbeth" and "The Tempest" (both 1980), under the direction of Joseph Papp. She also starred in Terrence McNally's "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune" (1988), and Beth Henley's "Debutante Ball" (1988).
Profession(s):
Actor, theatre usher
Sometimes Credited As:
Emmy Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy, Variety or Music Series "Taxi" 1982 - 1983
Emmy Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series "Taxi" 1981 - 1982
2005 Cast as Madame Morrible in the stage production of the Tony awarding winning musical "Wicked" at the Pantages theatre in Hollywood
2004 Cast in the teen comedy "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen"
2002 Landed role in FOX comedy series "The Grubbs"
2000 Had supporting role in romantic comedy "The Shrink Is In" starring Courteney Cox and David Arquette
1999 Made cameo appearance in the film "Jawbreaker" playing a school guidance counselor
1999 Had featured role in the Showtime series "Beggars and Choosers"
1996 Returned to series TV co-starring in the CBS sitcom "Pearl"
1994 Provided character voice for animated series "Aladdin"
1993 Cast as Grandma in "Addams Family Values"
1991 Began recurring guest-starring role as Sylvia on the acclaimed TV drama, "Brooklyn Bridge"
1990 Starred as Lilian Abernathy on TV sitcom, "American Dreamer"
1988 Cast as the Ghost of Christmas Present, opposite Bill Murry in "Scrooged"
1986 Cast as regular on the NBC sitcom "All Is Forgiven"
1986 Cast in the Comedy "Jumping Jack Flash," which starred Whoppi Goldberg
1981 Began recurring guest-starring role as Simka Gravis on hit TV sitcom, "Taxi"; won Emmy for the part
1977 Co-starred with Woody Allen and Diane Keaton in the comedy "Annie Hall," also written and directed by Allen
1975 First starring film role, "Hester Street"; received a Best Actress Oscar nomination
1975 Cast in "Dog Day Afternoon," based on the true story of Sonny Wortzik(Al Pacino) who robbed a bank in the summer of 1972
1972 Broadway debut, "Ring 'round the Bath Tub"
1971 Film debut, "Carnal Knowledge"
1966 Professional theatre debut in the off-Broadway and national touring company productions of "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie"